Electric lamp unit



H. A. DOUGLAS ELECTRIC LAMP UNIT March 8, 1938.

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Patented Mar. 8, 1938 ELECTRIC LAMP UNIT Harry A. Douglas, Bronson,Mich, assignor to Kingston Products Corporation, a corporation ofIndiana Application February 26, 1935, Serial No. 8,313

11 Claims.

My invention relates to electric lamp units, and more particularly toelectric lamp units comprising an incandescent lamp mounted in areflector, as inan automobile headlight, and the principal object of myinvention is to provide a new and improved unit of this type. In thedrawings accompanying this application, I have shown, for purposes ofillustration, one form which my invention may assume. In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of one embodiment ofmy invention, showing the lamp in elevation, and certain partsfragmentarily,

Figure 2 is a front elevation of a socket unit forming part of theembodiment shown in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the socket unit shown in Figure 2, thesocket contacts being displaced in order to more clearly show them,

Figure 4 is a plan view of a metal blank, on a reduced scale, which maybe used to form a portion of the socket unit,

Figure 5 is a detail of one of the connector portions of the socketunit,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary front elevation of the reflector shown inFigure 1,

Figure -7 is a front elevation of the reflector of Figure 6, with thesocket unit assembled therewith, one of the connector portions of thesocket being shown in section,

Figure 8 is a cross-section of the lamp only, taken on the line 9-9 ofFigure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows,

Figure 9 is a section taken on the line 9-:9 of Figure 1, looking in thedirection of the arrows, and

"Figure 10 is a sectional detailed view taken on the line |8||l ofFigure 9, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to Figure 1 there is here shown an incandescent electric lamp20, connected to a reflector 2| fragmentarily shown. The lamp'isprovided with a base 22 having laterally extending positioning means 23.The positioning means 23 comprises a collar surrounding the lamp base,and a flange 25 extending radially from the collar 24. The collar 24 maybe fastened to the base 22 in any suitable manner, as by solder 25 (seeFigure 8).

The reflector is provided with an. aperture 21 adapted to receive thelamp base 22, the aperture 21 being in this instance in a flange 28extending radially inward from a tubular portion 29, forming a rearwardextension on the reflector 2|. The words front and rear will be used todesignate respectively those portions of a part in question, which arenearest to the light source of the lamp 20 and those that are farthestfrom it.

The flange 25 on the positioning means 23 is provided with a pluralityof axially extending projections 30, 3|, 32, the projections beingdesirably three in number (see Figure 8). The projections 30, 3|, 32 maybe formed by indentations 33, 34, 35, thereby striking out the metal, onthe other side of the flange, as shown in Figure 10. The projections 30,3|, 32 are adapted to abut the front face of the reflector flange 28,when the lamp is connected to the reflector.

A socket unit 36 is provided for cooperation with the lamp 20, thissocket unit comprising a tubular shell 31, having a plurality ofconnector portions 38, 39, 40, extending in a generally axial direction,integrally formed therewith. The connector portions 38, 39, 40are'identical and therefore but one of them, 39, will be described indetail. The connector portion 39 has an axially extending portion 4|,off-set radially outwardly from the shell 31 and connected to the shellby a radial portion 42.

Referring in particular to Figure 5, the axially extending portion 4| isformed in part by an axially extending portion 43, which is here shownas of the same circumferential width as the radial portion 42, and is ofarcuate form concentric with the shell 31. The axially extending portion4| also includes a relatively narrow neck 44 connecting the widerarcuate portion 43 to an enlargement 45 forming the free end of theaxially extending portion 4|. The enlargement 45 comprises a generallycylindrical hollow portion 46, joined to the neck 44 by means of aportion tapering from the cylinder 45 to the neck 44 and forming agenerally conical surface 41. The conical portion 41 provides,particularly on its radially outer and inner surfaces, a pair of camsurfaces 48, 49 (see Figure 1 also), adapted to cooperate with thepositioning means 23, as will appear.

The axially extending connectors 38, 39, 40, as

well as the socket shell 31, are here shown as formed from sheet stock,and in the instance shown the edges 5| and 52 of the stock forming theenlargement 45 and the neck 44 do .not quite abut, forming a slot 50.The radially inner face of the neck 44 thus presents in effect a flatsurface. The radially outer half 53 of the neck 44 is semicircular incross-section, and the surface of the outer half 53 forms with the flatradially inner portion of the neck 44 angular corners at the edges 5|and 52. If desired, the otherwise hollow neck and enlargement 45 may bepartially or completely filled with solder 54, but this is notessential.

The socket unit includes an insulating contact carrier 55 having anoutside diameter the same as the inside diameter of the socket shell 31,and provided with a plurality of radially extending projections, threeof which, 55, 51, 58, may be seen in Figures 1 and 3. The number of pro-,jections may be any desired number, but the prothem, 82, will bedescribed in detail.

jections are preferably so proportionedand arranged that the contactcarrier is assemblable with the socket shell 31 in but one positionabout its axis with respect to the socket shell. The projections 56, 51,58 are adapted to be received in recesses 59, 69, 6| in the rear end ofthe socket shell 31. The rear end of the socket shell is also providedwith rearwardly axially extending flngers 62,'which may be clinched, asat 63, radially inwardly over the rear end of the contact carrier 55 tofasten the carrier to the socket shell.

The contact carrier 55 carries a pair of contacts 64, 65, connected toconductors 66, 61. The contacts 64, 65 are each here shown as comprisinga head with a shank which is swedged to the end of the respectiveconductor. The contacts 64, 65 and their mountings are identical so thatonly the contact 64, visible. in Figure 1, will be described. Theconductor 66, to which the contact 64 is swedged, is disposed through asleeve 68, slidable in a bushing 69. The bushing 69 is fixedly mountedthrough the contact-carrier 55 in any suitable manner, as by beading thebushing against the carrier. A helical spring 19 surrounds thesleeve 68between the bushing 69 and a flange on the inner end of the sleeve 68abutting the head of the contact 64. The contact 64 is thus adapted tobe pressed against a contact 1| carried by the lamp base 22. In likemanner the contact 65 is adapted to be pressed against another contacton the lamp base directly behind the contact 1i and therefore notvisiblein Figure 1. The lamp 29 is here shown as provided with twofilaments 12; 13 and these fllaments have their terminals connected tothe shell of the lamp base and to the contacts 1|l on the lamp base in awell known manner, so that by suitable switching means (not shown)interposed in the conductors 66, 61, the filament 12 may be lighted, tosecure bright light, or the filament 13 may be lighted to secure dim orso-called tilted light, or if desired, both of the filaments may belighted.

The socket unit 36 also includes biasing means 14, adapted to functionas will hereinafter appear. The biasing means here shown includes a ring15 of sheet metal, having a central aperture of the same diameter as theoutside of the socket shell 31. The ring 15 may be provided with aplurality of radial extensions, the ends of which 'are bent radiallyinwardly to form the spring loops 16, 11, 18. The ends 19 of thesespring loops are adapted to engage the rear surface of the reflector 2|when the socket unit is connected to the reflector. Projecting radiallyinwardly into the central aperture'in the ring 15 are a pair of arcuatesegments 89, 8|, integral with the ring. '15, the chords of whichsegments are desirably of 55. The two projections 89, 8|, and likewisethe two recesses 59, 69, preferably difier somewhat in circumferentialextent, whereby the ring 15 can be assembled on theshell 31 in only oneposition.

Referring to Figure 6, the reflector 2| is provided with a plurality ofapertures 82, 83, 84, disposed about the central aperture 21. Theseapertures are all identical, so that but one of The aperture 82comprises a large portion 85 and a small portion 86. spaced from thelarge portion circumferentially. The smaller aperture 86 has a radiallyinner edge or seat defined by an arcuate line 81' concentric with theaperture 21, or the seat 81 may be defined by a straight line tangent toan arc concentric with the aperture 21. The larger aperture 85 is joinedto the smaller aperture 86 by'a connecting aperture 99, which inclinesradially outwardly from the aperture 85 toward the aperture 86. Theradially inner edge of the connecting aperture 99 is defined, as hereshown, by a straight line forming a cam surface 89 inclinedradiallyoutwardly from the large aperture 85 to the small aperture 86 toa point radially beyond the radially inner edge or seat 81, therebyforming a shoulder 88, which is desirably defined by a radial line. Theapertures 82, 83, 84, while otherwise identical, are desirably unequallyspaced circumferentially about the aperture 21.

Referring to Figure 8, the flange 25 of the positioning means 23,provided on the base of the lamp 29, is here shown as provided with aplurality of apertures, desirably three in number, 9|, 92, 93. Theseapertures, as a whole, are concentric with the flange 25, and since theyare identical, but one of them, 9|, will be described in detail. Theaperture 9| comprises a larger portion 94 and a smaller portion 95, thesmall and large portions being connected by a tapering connectingaperture 96. The sides of the connecting aperture 96 are tangent to anarc defining the largeraperture 94, the connecting aperture narrowing asit approaches the smaller generally circular aperture 95, and mergingwith the small aperture 95 at a place of junction 91, which is narrowerin a radial direction than the diameter of the small aperture 95.

When it is desired to connect the socket unit 36 to the reflector 2|,the cylindrical enlargements 46 of the connector portions 38, 39,49 arebrought into registry, at the rear of the reflector 2|, with the largeraperture portions 85 of the reflector apertures 82, 83, 84. The socketunit is then moved toward the reflector, against the bias of the springloops 16, 11, 18, so that the necks 44 of the connector portions 38, 39,49 will be in a .position to engage the radially outwardly inclined camsurfaces 89 of the apertures 82, 83, 84. Upon clockwise rotation of thesocket unit 36, as viewed from the rear of the reflector, the camsurfaces 89 act to move the necks 44 radially outwardly, the connectors38, 39, 49 flexing sufflciently to permit such movement. Continuedclockwise rotation of the socket unit causes the necks 44 to snapradially inwardly off of the shoulders 88 and onto the seats 81. [Thesocket unit is thereby locked against unintentional counter-clockwisemovement, since such movement causes the edges 5| of the necks to engagethe respective shoulders 88. The action of the biasing means 14 pullsthe enlargements 45 of the connectors 38, 39, 49, which overlie thefront face of the reflector, against that face. The position of theparts, viewed from the front of the reflector, is then as shown inFigure 7, one of the enlargements 45 having-been cut away to show theneck 44 in the seat 81.

If it is desired to connect the lamp 29 to the reflector, the largeportions 94 of the apertures 9|, 92, 93 of the flange 25, are broughtinto registry ,with the connector enlargements 46, the lamp being thenmoved toward the reflector, against the bias of the contacts 64, 65,until the projections 39, 3|, 32 on the flange abut the reflector,specifically the front face of the flange 28. The lamp is then turned ina clockwise direction, as viewed from the front of the reflector,whereupon the tapering sides of the connecting apertures 96' engageradially outer and inner surfaces of the conical parts 4'7 of theconnector enlargements 45. Continued clockwise rotation of the lampcauses the tapering aperture portions 98 to move the connector portions38, 39, farther through the reflector, against the bias of the biasingmeans 14, until the conical portions 41 snap ofi of the junctions 91between the connecting aperture 98 and the smaller aperture 95, into theaperture 95 where they are then firmly seated. The position of the partsis then as shown in Figures 1, 9, and 10. The biasing means 14 of coursethen presses the base flange 25 toward the front face of the reflector,and hence presses the projections 30, 3|, 32 into abutment with thefront of the reflector flange 28. While the flange 25 may be gauged orlocated in its own plane by the conical portions 41 of the enlargements45, it may also be gauged or located by having the flange 25 snugly fltthe tubular portion 29.

The lamp may be assembled with the positioning means 23 by placing thepositioning means on a standard with the lamp base within the collar 24and then adjusting the lamp until the lighting center of the desiredfilament thereof is in a predetermined position, whereupon the collar 24is soldered to the lamp base. The position of other filaments of thelamp may be likewise predetermined.

It will be evident from the foregoing that my invention provides a meanswhereby a lamp may be connected to a reflector with the lighting centerof a filament thereof at a predetermined point with respect to thereflector, and also that the position of the lamp about its axis will bepredetermined so that the proper contacts there on will be brought intoengagement with contacts on a socket unitwhich in turn has the position.of its contacts about the axis of the socket predetermined with respectto the reflector.

When it is desired to disconnect the lamp 20 from the reflector the lampis turned in a mum ter-clockwise direction, as viewed from the front ofthe reflector, whereby the edges of the smaller socket flange apertures95 pull the connectors 38, 39, 40 frontwardly through the reflector,against the bias of the biasing means 14, thereby permittingdisengagement of the lamp, as will be evident.

The socket unit may be disconnected from the reflector by moving thenecks 44 of the connectors 38, 39, 40 radially outwardly therebydsengaging them from the seats 81, and thus permitting rotation andremoval of the socket unit, as will be evident. Y

The socket shell 31 and the connector portions 38, 39, 40 are desirablyformed from sheet stock and to this end a blank, such as shown in Figure4, may be stamped from sheet metal. The blank 98 comprises a body 99 ofgenerally rectangular form, which when rolled to form serves to providethe socket shell 31. The body 99 of the blank has three unequally spacedrectangular portions I 00, ll, I02, extending laterally therefrom, andeach one of these portions has a narrower extension I03 connecting it toa wider extension I04, of generally. rectangular shape, but havingtransverse inclined edges I05, I 06 converging toward the narrow portionl03. The

blank 98 has its left hand edge, as viewed in Figure 4, provided withthe recesses 59, 80, 8| and with the fingers 62, corresponding to thesimilarly numbered parts in the other views. It will be evident that theextensions I00, IOI, I02 are adapted to be formed into the radialconnecting portions 42 and the arcuate axially extending portions 43 ofthe connector portions 38, 39,40, while the portions I03 and I04 areadapted to be formed into the necks 44 and the enlargements 45 of thoseconnector portions.

In view of the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat the herein disclosed embodiment of my invention provides a new andimproved incandescent electric lamp unit, and accordingly accomplishesat least the principal object of my invention.'

It will also be obvious to those skilled in the art that my inventionmay be embodied in other constructions wherein the reflector, or othermounting for the lamp, the socket unit, and the lamp and its base, mayassume a variety of forms, variously changed and modified within thespirit of the invention.

In general it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that thefeatures of my invention may be individually changed and modified,without departing from the spirit of my invention or sacrificing all ofthe advantages thereof, and accordingly that the disclosure herein isillustrative only, and that my invention is not limited thereto.

I claim:

1. In. combination: a mounting having a plurality of apertures; anincandescent electric lamp having a base; a lateral extension on saidbase provided with a plurality of apertures; and a socket unit for saidlamp, comprising a body having integral therewith portions, spaced fromeach other and from the axis of said unit, disposed through saidmounting apertures and through said apertures in said lateral extension,said portions having hollow enlargements at the ends thereof, saidenlargements overlying said lateral extension, and means for biasingsaid enlargements against said lateral extension.

2. In combination: a mounting having a plurality of apertures; anincandescent electric lamp havinga base; a lateral extension on saidbase provided with a plurality of apertures; and a socket unit for saidlamp, comprising a body having integral therewith portions, spaced fromeach other and from the axis of said unit, disposed through saidmounting apertures and through said apertures in said lateral extension,said portions having enlargements at the ends thereof, said enlargementsoverlying said lateral extension and being g erally circular incrosssection, and means for? iasing said enlargements against saidlateral extension.

3. In'combination: a mounting having a plurality of apertures; anincandescent electric lamp having a base; a lateral extension on saidbase provided with a plurality of apertures; and a socket unit for saidlamp, comprising a body having portions, spaced from each other and fromthe axis of said unit, disposed through said mounting apertures andthrough said apertures in said lateral extension, said portions havingenlargements at the ends thereof, said enlargements overlying saidlateral extension and being of greater radial extent, in a section planetransverse to said axis than axially adjacent parts of said portions,said body and said portions and said enlargements being formedintegrally with each other from sheet stock, and means for biasing-saidenlargements against said lateral extension.

4. In combination: a mounting having a plurality of apertures; a holdingunit, including a body member having a plurality of portions,circumferentially spaced from each other, insertable through saidapertures in said mounting; said. portions extending longitudinally inthe same general direction and having parts overlying said mounting;means for biasing said parts toward said mounting; an electricincandescent lamp having a base; said base having a lateral extensionprovided with apertures for receiving said portions; and said partsincluding means, comprising cam surfaces extending in a generally radialdirection from said parts, so constructed and arranged that rotation ofsaid lamp increases the bias of said biasing means; said body member,said portions, said parts and said cam surfaces being formed integrallywith each other from sheet stock.

5. In combination: a mounting having a plurality of circumferentiallyextending apertures having radially inner and outer bounding margins; aholding unit, including a body member having a plurality of portions,circumferentially spaced from each other; said portions extendinglongitudinally in the same general direction'and having enlargements atthe ends thereof, constructed and arranged for insertion through saidapertures in said mounting; and said portions, between said body andsaid enlargements, having flat surfaces, on the radially inner sidesthereof, engageable with and slidable along said radially inner boundingmargins.

6. Means for holding an incandescent electric lamp to a mounting,comprising a unitary article of manufacture cooperable with andseparable as a unit from the mounting, said unitary article including: abody memberhaving integral therewith a plurality of connector portions,circumferentially spacedfrom each other, said portions extendinglongitudinally in the same general direction; and said portions havingenlargements at the ends thereof, material of each of said enlargementsforming a loop with respect to a section transverse to said direction.

'7. Means for holding an incandescent electric lamp to a mounting,comprising a unitary article of manufacture cooperable with andseparable as a unit from the mounting, said unitary article including: abody member having integral. therewith a plurality of connectorportions, circumferentially spaced from each other, said portionsextending longitudinally in the same general direction; said portionshaving enlargements at the ends thereof, material of each of saidenlargements forming a substantially closed loop with respect to asection transverse to said direction; and said enlargements beingconnected to said portions'by cam surfaces tapering from saidenlargements to said portions.

8. -In combination: a mounting, for an incandescent electric lamp,having a plurality. of circumferentially extending apertures; 'a holdingunit, for the lamp, including a body member having a plurality ofconnector portions, circumferentially spaced from each other, andextending longitudinally in the same general direction through saidapertures; said portions having enlargements at the ends thereofconstructed and arranged to abut said mounting; said enlargements beingof greater radial extent from their radially inner to their radiallyouter limits,'in a section plane transverse to said direction, thanaxially adjacent parts of said portions; and said body member saidportions and said enlargements being formed integrally with each otherfrom sheet stock.

9,. In combination: a mounting, for an incandescent electric lamp,having a plurality of circumferentially extending apertures; a holdingunit, for the lamp, including a body member having a plurality ofconnector portions, circumferentially spaced from each other, andextending longitudinally in the same general direction through saidapertures; said portions having enlargements at the ends thereofconstructed and arranged 'to abut said mounting; said enlargements beingof greater radial extent from their radially inner to their radiallyouter limits, in a section plane transverse to said direction, thanaxiallyv adjacent parts of said portions; said body member said portionsand said enlargements being formed integrally with each other from sheetstock; and an incandescent electric lamp having a base; said base havinga lateral extension provided with apertures for receiving saidenlargements and being so constructed and arranged that upon connectingrotation of said lamp about its axis said portions hold said lateralextension to said mounting.

10. In combination: a mounting having a plurality of apertures; aholding unit, including a body memberhaving integral therewith aplurality of connector portions, circumferentially spaced from eachother and extending longitudinally in the same general directions; saidportions having enlargements at the ends thereof, material of each ofsaid enlargements forming a loop with respect to a section transverse tosaid direction, said enlargements being constructed and arranged forinsertion-through said apertures in said mounting; and an incandescentelectric lamp having a base; and said base having a lateral extensionprovided with apertures for receiving said enlargements and being soconstructed and arranged that upon connecting rotation of said lampabout its axis said enlargements hold said lateral extension to saidmounting- 11. In combination: a mounting having a plurality ofapertures; a holding unit, including a body member. having a pluralityof connector portions, circumferentially spaced from each other andextending longitudinally in the same general direction; said portionshaving enlargements at-the ends thereof, material of each of saidenlargements forming a loop with respect to a section transverse to saiddirection, said enlargements being constructed and arranged forinsertion through said apertures in said mounting; said body member,said portions and said enlargements being formed integrally with eachother from sheet stock; and an incandescent electric lamp having a base;and said base having a lateral extension provided with apertures forreceiving said enlargements and being so constructed and arranged thatupon connecting rotation of said lamp about its axis said enlargementshold said lateral extension to said mounting.

HARRY A. DOUGLAS.

